Fan holder with electrical connector socket

ABSTRACT

A fan holder ( 30 ), for mounting a fan ( 10 ) having an electrical connector ( 16 ) to a computer chassis ( 50 ), includes a base ( 32 ) for mounting to a body ( 12 ) of the fan, a pair of arms ( 38 ) extending from opposite sides of the base for embracing the body of the fan, and a socket ( 44 ) integrally formed on one of the opposite sides of the base. Each of the arms forms a protrusion ( 41 ) for being slidingly received in a slot ( 41 ) of a corresponding latch ( 54 ) of the computer chassis. The socket defines a groove ( 46 ) for receiving a locating plate ( 20 ) of the connector thereby combining the connector to the fan holder. When the combined fan and fan holder is detached from the computer chassis, the connector is simultaneously drawn out from a corresponding receptacle ( 56 ) of the computer chassis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a fan holder for mounting a fanto a computer chassis, and particularly to a fan holder which canreadily and conveniently attach and detach an electrical connector of afan to and from a corresponding electrical receptacle in a computerchassis.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] As computer technology continues to advance, central processingunits and chipsets in computers continue to have faster operationalspeeds and greater functional capabilities. Heat produced within acomputer enclosure increases greatly when these high-speed componentsare operating. It is desirable to dissipate the heat quickly, so thatthe components can operate within their normal temperature ranges. Thisassures the quality of data operation, storage and transfer. Dissipationcan be attained, for example, by using a heat sink system installedwithin the computer enclosure.

[0005] A conventional heat sink assembly comprises a heat sink, and afan assembly mounted on the heat sink for guiding heated air away fromthe heat sink. Taiwan Patent Application No. 88205165 discloses a fanassembly comprising a fan and a cover attached on the fan. The fancomprises a body, an electrical connector, and a plurality of leadsconnecting the connector and the body. After the fan is installed into acomputer chassis, a plug of the connector is then inserted into areceptacle of a circuit board within the computer chassis. However,interference to the leads of the fan and other leads within the computerchassis may occur. Moreover, the plug is typically small and when thefan is attached to or detached from the computer chassis, the connectormust be engaged into or disengaged from the receptacle by a separateoperation, which is time-consuming and inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide afan holder which allows convenient insertion and removal of a connectorof a fan into and from an electrical receptacle of a computer chassis.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a fan holder in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a basefor mounting to a body of a fan; a pair of arms extending from oppositesides of the base for embracing the body of the fan, and a socketintegrally extending from one of the opposite sides of the base. Each ofthe arms forms a protrusion for slidingly received in a slot of a latchof a computer. The socket defines a groove for receiving a locatingplate of a connector of the fan thereby combining the connector to thefan holder. When the protrusions are slid out from the slots to detachthe combined fan and fan holder from the computer chassis, the connectoris simultaneously disengaged from a corresponding receptacle of thecomputer chassis.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fanholder comprises a base, an arm extending from one side of the base, alocking part extending from an opposite side of the base, and a socketextending from the opposite side of the base. The arm engages the bodyof the fan. The locking part forms a fastener for engaging in a lockingopening of a latch of a computer chassis. When the fastener is releasedfrom the locking opening and the combined fan and fan holder is detachedfrom the computer, the connector is simultaneously disengaged from acorresponding receptacle of the computer chassis.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will be drawn from the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention with attached drawings,in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a fan holder inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventiontogether with a fan, the fan comprising a body, an electrical connectorand a plurality of leads electrically connecting the body and theconnector;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the fan holder and the connector ofthe fan of FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect;

[0012]FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of part of a computer chassis in whichthe combined fan and fan holder of FIG. 3 is mounted;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a fan holder in accordance with thealternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 6 is an assembled, isometric view of the fan holder of FIG. 5and the fan of FIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of part of a computer chassis in whichthe combined fan and fan holder of FIG. 6 is mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a fan holder 30 in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the present invention. The fan holder 30 is for mounting afan 10 to a computer chassis 50 (see FIG. 4). The fan 10 comprises abody 12, an electrical connector 16, and a plurality of leads 14electrically connecting the body 12 and the connector 16. Four lockingholes 18 are defined in four corners of a mating portion of the body 12respectively. The connector 16 comprises a locating plate 20, a plug 22,and a locking portion 24 (see FIG. 2).

[0018] Referring also to FIG. 2, the fan holder 30 comprises a base 32,and an L-shaped side panel 34 extending perpendicularly in a firstdirection from two adjoining side edges of the base 32. A vent 36 isdefined in the base 32. A pair of symmetric arms 38 extends in a seconddirection from opposite side edges of the base 32 respectively, thesecond direction being opposite to the first direction. One of the arms38 is coplanar with a first part of the side panel 34. A protrusion 41is formed on an outside of each arm 38. A finger 42 is formed on aninside of a free end of each arm 38. Four posts 40 extend in the seconddirection from the base 32, for engaging in the locking holes 18 of thefan 10 respectively. A U-shaped socket 44 is formed on an outside ofsaid first part of the side panel 34, for holding the connector 16therein. A groove 46 is defined in the socket 44, for receiving thelocating plate 20 of the connector 16 therein. A channel 48 is definedin a side of the socket 44 in communication with the groove 46, forreceiving the locating portion 24 of the connector 16 therein. Aplurality of parallel ridges is formed on an outside of a second part ofthe side panel 34, said second part being perpendicular to said firstpart. The ridges thereby define an operation portion 45.

[0019] Referring also to FIG. 3, in pre-assembly, the fan holder 30 isattached to the fan 10. The posts 40 of the fan holder 30 are engaginglyreceived in the locking holes 18 of the fan 10. The arms 38 embrace thebody 12 of the fan 10, with the body 12 being sandwiched between thebase 32 and the fingers 42. The locating plate 20 is received in thegroove 46. The plug 22 protrudes out beyond the socket 44. The lockingportion 24 is deformably received in the channel 48. The connector 16 isthus securely held in the socket 44.

[0020]FIG. 4 shows part of a computer chassis 50 in which the combinedfan 10 and fan holder 30 is mounted. The computer chassis 50 comprises abottom plate 52. A row of latches 54 is provided on the bottom plate 52.Each latch 54 defines a vertical slot 58, for receiving a correspondingprotrusion 41 of the fan holder 30. A circuit board 53 is mounted on thebottom plate 52. A row of electrical receptacles 56 is installed on thecircuit board 53, the row of receptacles 56 being parallel to the row oflatches 54.

[0021] In assembly, the combined fan 10 and fan holder 30 is held abovethe bottom plate 52 of the computer chassis 50, with the protrusions 41of the fan holder 30 aligned with the slots 58 of a pair of selectedlatches 54. The combined fan 10 and fan holder 30 is then presseddownwardly between the latches 54 until the protrusions 41 reach bottomends of the slots 58. The plug 22 is thus simultaneously inserted intoand engaged with a corresponding receptacle 56. The fan 10 is thusmounted in the computer chassis 50 by means of the fan holder 30.

[0022] In disassembly, the operation portion 45 is pulled upwardly, andthe protrusions 41 are drawn up and out from the slots 41 of the latches54. The plug 22 is thereby simultaneously disengaged from the receptacle56. The combined fan 10 and fan holder 30 is thus easily detached fromthe computer chassis 50.

[0023]FIG. 5 shows a fan holder 60 in accordance with the alternativeembodiment of the present invention. The fan holder 60 comprises a base62, and a locking part 80 adjoining a first side of the base 62. A vent66 is defined in the base 62. An arm 68 extends perpendicularly in afirst direction from a second side of the base 62, the second side beingopposite from the first side. A finger 72 is formed on an inside of afree end of the arm 68. Four posts 70 extend in the first direction fromfour corners of the base 62 respectively. The locking part 80 comprisesan extension portion 82 extending in the first direction from the firstside of the base 62, a connecting portion 84 extending perpendicularlyfrom a distal end of the extension portion 82, and an elastic lockingportion 86 extending perpendicularly from a distal end of the connectingportion 84. The extension portion 82, connecting portion 84 and lockingportion 86 are all perpendicular to the base 62. A plurality of parallelridges is formed on a free end of the locking portion 86, therebydefining an operation portion 90. A fastener 88 is formed on the lockingportion 86, adjacent the operation portion 90. A socket 74 extends fromthe first side of the base 62 in a second direction, the seconddirection being opposite to the first direction. The socket 74 defines agroove 76, for receiving the locking plate 20 of the connector 16 (seeFIG. 6). The fan holder 60 is attached to the fan 10 in much the sameway as described above in relation to the fan holder 30 of the preferredembodiment.

[0024]FIG. 7 shows part of a computer chassis 100 in which the combinedfan 10 and fan holder 60 is mounted. The computer chassis 100 comprisesa bottom plate 102. A row of latches 104 is provided on the bottom plate102. Each latch 104 defines a locking opening 108, for engaging with thefastener 88. A circuit board 105 is mounted on the bottom plate 102. Arow of electrical receptacles 106 is installed on the circuit board 105,the row of receptacles 106 being parallel to the row of latches 104. Inassembly, the combined fan 10 and fan holder 60 is held above the bottomplate 102 of the computer chassis 100 between a pair of selected latches104. The combined fan 10 and fan holder 60 is then pressed downwardlyuntil the fastener 88 is snappingly received in the locking opening 108of a corresponding latch 104. The plug 22 of the connector 16 is thussimultaneously inserted into and engaged with a corresponding receptacle106. The fan 10 is thus mounted in the computer chassis 100 by means ofthe fan holder 60.

[0025] In disassembly, the operation portion 90 is pressed toward thefan holder 60, in order to release the fastener 88 from the lockingopening 108. The combined fan 10 and fan holder 60 is then drawn up andout from between the latches 104 of the computer chassis 100. The plug22 is thereby simultaneously disengaged from the receptacle 106. Thecombined fan 10 and fan holder 60 is thus easily detached from thecomputer chassis 100.

[0026] In the present invention, the connector 16 is combined witheither fan holder 30, 60. In assembly, there is no need for an extraseparate operation in order to engage the connector 16 with thereceptacle 56, 106 of the computer chassis 50, 100. The connector 16 isconveniently engaged with the receptacle 56, 106. In addition, becausethe connector 16 does not have to be separately manipulated by anoperator's fingers, interference to the leads 14 and other leads withinthe computer chassis 50, 100 does not occur. In disassembly, when thecombined fan 10 and fan holder 30, 60 is drawn up and out from thelatches 54, 104, the connector 16 is simultaneously disengaged from thereceptacle 56, 106. There is no need for an extra separate operation inorder to disengage the connector 16 from the receptacle 56, 106. Theconnector 16 is conveniently disengaged from the receptacle 56, 106.Furthermore, because the connector 16 does not have to be separatelymanipulated by an operator's fingers, interference to the leads 14 andthe other leads within the computer chassis 50, 100 does not occur.

[0027] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in otherforms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the presentexamples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan holder for mounting a fan to a computerchassis, the fan comprising a body, a connector and a plurality of leadselectrically connecting the body and the connector, the fan holdercomprising: a base for mounting to the body of the fan; an arm extendingfrom one side of the base in a first direction for engaging the body ofthe fan; and a socket integrally formed with the base for retaining theconnector of the fan therein.
 2. The fan holder as claimed in claim 1,wherein a plurality of posts extends from the base in the firstdirection, for engaging in the body of the fan.
 3. The fan holder asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the socket defines a groove, for retaining alocating plate of the connector therein.
 4. The fan holder as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the socket further defines a channel in communicationwith the groove, for receiving a locking portion of the connector. 5.The fan holder as claimed in claim 4, further comprising another armextending from an opposite side of the base, and wherein each of thearms forms a protrusion for engaging with the computer chassis.
 6. Thefan holder as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a side panelextending from the base in a second direction opposite to the firstdirection.
 7. The fan holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sidepanel is L-shaped and comprises a first part and a second part, thesocket integrally extends from the first part, and a plurality of ridgesis formed on the second part for facilitating operation.
 8. The fanholder as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a locking partextending from an opposite side of the base, the locking part forming afastener for engaging with the computer chassis.
 9. The fan holder asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the locking part comprises an operationportion at a free end thereof, for facilitating disengaging of thefastener from the computer chassis.
 10. A fan holder assemblycomprising: a computer chassis comprising a bottom plate and a circuitboard mounted on the bottom plate, the circuit board providing areceptacle; a fan comprising a body and a connector, the connectorcomprising a plug inserted into the receptacle; and a fan holder formounting the fan to the computer chassis, the fan holder comprising abase attached to the body, and a socket provided on one side of the baseand holding the connector therein; and retaining means for retaining thefan holder to the computer chassis; wherein when the combined fan andfan holder is detached from the computer chassis, the connector issimultaneously disengaged from the receptacle.
 11. The fan holderassembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the socket is integrally formedwith the base and defines a groove, and the connector comprises alocating plate received in the groove.
 12. The fan holder assembly asclaimed in claim 11, wherein a pair of latches is provided on the bottomplate, each of the latches defines a slot, the fan holder comprises apair of arms extending from the base, and the retaining means comprisesa pair of protrusions formed on the arms respectively, the protrusionsbeing received in the slots when the fan is retained in the computerchassis.
 13. The fan holder assembly as claimed in claim 12, whereineach of the arms comprises a finger formed at a free end thereof, thearms embracing the body of the fan with the fingers sandwiching the bodywith the base.
 14. The fan holder assembly as claimed in claim 11,wherein a pair of latches is provided on the bottom plate, each of thelatches defines a locking opening, the fan holder comprises a lockingpart extending from the base, and the retaining means comprises afastener formed on the locking part, the fastener being snappinglyreceived in a corresponding locking opening when the fan is retained inthe computer chassis.
 15. The fan holder assembly as claimed in claim14, wherein the fan holder further comprises an arm extending from thebase and opposing the locking part, the arm engaging the body of the fanwith the finger sandwiching the body with the base.
 16. A fan holderassembly comprising: a computer chassis defining a panel with an openingtherein, a pair of spaced latches located behind said opening and with aspace therebetween; a printed circuit board located behind said latcheswith a first connector thereon; a fan holder including a base and asocket; a fan including a body enclosed in the base, and a secondconnector retained in the socket; and the fan holder with the associatedfan, commonly installed into the space under a condition that the firstconnector and the second connector is coupled with each other; whereinthe fan is assembled to the fan holder in a horizontal direction, andthe fan holder is assembled to the latches in a vertical directionperpendicular to said horizontal direction.
 17. The assembly as claimedin claim 16, wherein said second connector is assembled to the socket inanother horizontal direction perpendicular to both said verticaldirection and said horizontal direction.
 18. The assembly as claimed inclaim 16, wherein said fan holder further includes an operation portionadjacent to said socket.